Buffering of prior displayed television channels upon accessing a different channel
View Patent ↗Systems and methods are provided for managing a time-shift buffer (TSB) that is used for buffering video presentations. One such method includes receiving user input identifying a storage capacity for the TSB and modifying a storage capacity of the TSB such that it is at least substantially equal to the storage capacity identified by the user input.
1. A computer-implemented method for providing access to buffered data in a time-shift buffer, the method comprising:
receiving first data corresponding to successive portions of a first video signal, the first video signal corresponding to a first television program;
processing the first data for presentation at a display device;
while the first data is presented at the display device, receiving an input corresponding to a request for third data corresponding to successive portions of a second video signal, the second video signal corresponding to a second television program;
accessing the third data;
processing the third data for presentation at the display device; and
buffering second data corresponding to successive portions of the first video signal while the third data is presented based on a defined presentation time of the first television program, the first video signal corresponding to the first television program.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising enabling access by a user to the buffered second data responsive to a user request.
3. The method of claim 2 , further comprising presenting a configuration interface that enables the access.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second data is buffered or accessible only if the first television program is presented for display for the defined presentation time.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the defined threshold is user defined.
6. A computer-implemented method for providing access to buffered data in a time-shift buffer, the method comprising:
receiving first data corresponding to successive portions of a first video signal, the first video signal corresponding to a first television program;
processing the first data for display;
buffering the first data;
receiving first user input, the first user input corresponding to whether access to the buffered first television program is to be enabled or disabled;
receiving a second user input requesting access to second data corresponding to successive portions of a second video signal, the second video signal corresponding to a second television program;
responsive to the second user input, receiving the processing the second data for display;
receiving a third user input corresponding to a request for access to the buffered first data; and
accessing the buffered first data responsive to the first user input corresponding to access, otherwise denying access to the first data.
7. The method of claim 6 , wherein denying access comprises rendering the buffered first data inaccessible.
8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the buffered data is deleted.
9. The method of claim 7 , wherein the buffered data is designated through a corresponding management file as inaccessible.
10. The method of claim 6 , further comprising providing a user interface to enable or disable access.
11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the user interface comprises a remote control device in conjunction with a user interface screen.
12. A computer-implemented method of managing a time-shift buffer, comprising:
providing a first user interface that provides a list of buffered video presentations;
enabling a user to order the list according to buffering activity of each of the buffered video presentations;
receiving user input corresponding to ordering the list according to buffering activity; and
responsive to receiving the user input, ordering the list based on the buffering activity of each buffered video presentation.
13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the buffering activity comprises buffered length of each of the buffered video presentations.
14. The method of claim 13 , further comprising providing a second user interface that provides the ordered list of buffered video presentations.
15. The method of claim 14 , wherein ordering comprises sorting based on play-time duration of each of the buffered video presentations.
16. The method of claim 15 , wherein ordering comprises presenting a first title of the buffered video presentations having a first play time duration above a second title having a second play-time duration different than the first play time duration.
17. The method of claim 12 , wherein the buffering activity comprises start time of each of the buffered video presentations.
18. The method of claim 17 , further comprising providing a third user interface that provides the ordered list of buffered video presentations.
19. The method of claim 18 , wherein ordering comprises sorting based on broadcast time of each of the buffered video presentations.
20. The method of claim 18 , wherein ordering comprises presenting a first title of the buffered video presentations having a first start time above a second title having a second start time different than the first start time.